Nakamura Tomijūrō V
Nakamura Tomijūrō V (五代目 中村 富十郎 Godaime Nakamura Tomijūrō, June 4, 1929 – January 3, 2011) was a Japanese Kabuki actor and Living National Treasures of Japan.[1][2] Tomijūrō work in Kabuki included the role of Musashibō Benkei, a Japanese warrior monk, in the drama, Kanjinchō.[1] Outside Japan, Tomijūrō toured performed in the United States and Europe.[1]
Tomijūrō was born Hajime Watanabe to Nakamura Tomijūrō IV and dancer, Tokuho Azuma.[1] He made his theater debut in 1943 using the stage name, Bandō Tsurunosuke.[1] In 1964, he became the sixth Ichimura Takenojō, another stage name.[1] He further became the fifth Nakamura Tomijuro in 1972, succeeding his father's stage title.[1]
In addition to Kabuki, Tomijūrō also appeared in film and television roles during his career. His film roles included Sharaku in 1995 and Gakko II in 1996.[1] Tomijūrō's television credits included 1980's Shishi no Jidai (The Era of Lion) and the 1974 television series, Katsu Kaishū, based on the life of Katsu Kaishū.[1]
Tomijūrō was named a Living National Treasures of Japan in 1994.[1] He was inducted into the Japan Art Academy in 1996 and was further honored as a Person of Cultural Merit in 2008.[1]
A native of Tokyo, Tomijūrō stopped performing Kabuki in November 2010 due to declining health.[1] He died from rectal cancer at a hospital in Tokyo on January 3, 2011, at the age of 81.[1] He was survived by a daughter, who was born in 2003, when Tomijūrō was 74 years old.[1]